TLDR it’s a standard overpayment scam. “Oops, I paid you $12,000 but your quote to repave the driveway was $10,000. Can you wire me the money, please.” Then the check bounces.
Doing the work, removing the driveway, that’s just a side effect of the scam. It’s entirely on the contractor for failing to establish who actually owns the home, and for wiring money before the check clears. The concrete wasn’t worth anything, and nobody stole the driveway because it had value. The driveway was removed by a victim of a scam, and the homeowner is the victim of an idiot.
TLDR it’s a standard overpayment scam. “Oops, I paid you $12,000 but your quote to repave the driveway was $10,000. Can you wire me the money, please.” Then the check bounces.
Doing the work, removing the driveway, that’s just a side effect of the scam. It’s entirely on the contractor for failing to establish who actually owns the home, and for wiring money before the check clears. The concrete wasn’t worth anything, and nobody stole the driveway because it had value. The driveway was removed by a victim of a scam, and the homeowner is the victim of an idiot.